On Saturday, during a demonstration in London in support of the Gaza ceasefire, a pro-Palestinian speaker called for “normalizing genocide”, prompting police to investigate the matter.
Pro-Palestinian supporters marched through central London as part of the World Day of Action against Israel's military action against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
A video of one of the speakers, Palestinian activist Mohamed El Kurd, addressing a crowd gathered in Parliament Square went viral on social media.
“I want you to look into the eyes of the children of Gaza and tell them that you did your best,” he told the crowd. “Our day will come. But we must not be complacent. Our day will come. But we must normalize genocide as the status quo.”
“I would never say that,” Erkuld later wrote in response to backlash for his comments about the normalization of genocide in X.
“I clearly said that we should not be complacent and that genocide should not be normalized,” he wrote. “Intentionally distorting my words is a sign that you are bankrupt. Misspoken words are forgivable. Also known as: Idagufu. Call the police! Write a review on Yelp !”
London police issued a statement regarding X, saying authorities were aware of the video and statement.
The Metropolitan Police Department said, “Officers are aware of the comment, the commentary surrounding it, and the subsequent statement made by the person making the comment.'' “They are assessing the matter and as part of that assessment they are looking to speak to the parties involved.”
Despite claiming to have made a gaffe in one instance, videos posted online also show Erkuld's speech directly calling for the eradication of Zionism from the world.
“Zionism is apartheid, genocide, murder, and a racist ideology rooted in settler expansion and racial domination, and we must eradicate it from the world,” Erkuld said. said.
He added: “We must de-Zionize because Zionism is a death cult and Zionism is indefensible.”
In the months since Hamas terrorists sparked the war in Gaza, both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrations have erupted.
Guy Bell/Shutterstock
Hamas terrorists launched a deadly attack on October 7, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, inside Israel.
An additional 250 people were taken hostage, and although some have been released or confirmed dead, more than half are believed to still be held captive in Gaza.
In the 100 days since Israel responded to Hamas attacks, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has announced that more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.
A pro-Israel rally was scheduled to take place in London's Trafalgar Square on Sunday.
